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Nikola Jokic had 39 factors and 16 rebounds to rally the Denver Nuggets to a 97-87 win over Phoenix on Monday night time, taking a 2-0 lead over the Suns within the Western Convention semifinals.
Jokic, who learns Tuesday if he is edged Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo for his third consecutive NBA MVP award, lately renamed for Michael Jordan, scored 26 within the second half because the Nuggets erased a seven-point third-quarter deficit.
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Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, proper, heads to the basket previous Phoenix Suns ahead Josh Okogie, left, within the first half of Recreation 2 of an NBA second-round playoff sequence Monday, Could 1, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photograph/David Zalubowsk)
Jokic’s huge night time was essential as Jamal Murray scored simply 10 factors on 3-of-15 taking pictures after he scored 34 within the sequence opener when he had six 3-pointers. Murray was 0 for 9 from lengthy vary Monday night time.
Aaron Gordon added 16 factors and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 14 factors and went 4 for 4 from past the arc, together with back-to-back swishes that erased a 73-70 deficit and put the Nuggets forward for good early within the fourth quarter.
Devin Booker led Phoenix with 35 factors and Kevin Durant added 24.
The groups get an prolonged break earlier than the sequence resumes with Recreation 3 in Phoenix on Friday night time.
Denver Nuggets middle Nikola Jokic picks up the ball within the first half of Recreation 2 of an NBA second-round playoff sequence in opposition to the Phoenix Suns, Monday, Could 1, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photograph/David Zalubowski)
The Suns, who misplaced Chris Paul to a decent left groin late within the third quarter, took a 73-70 lead because of Booker’s 31 factors — which matched Jokic’s output — coming into the fourth quarter.
The Suns went chilly, nonetheless, and Denver surged forward 76-73 on back-to-back 3-pointers by Caldwell-Pope, forcing a Phoenix timeout on the 8:56 mark.
After permitting Denver to take 17 extra photographs than they’d in Game 1, the Suns flipped issues Monday night time, taking 15 extra photographs than the Nuggets within the first half, however they led simply 42-40 on the break.
The Suns pushed the result in seven within the third quarter however each Durant and Deandre Ayton picked up their fourth fouls late within the interval, taking a seat, and Paul walked gingerly to the locker room on the 4:32 mark and did not return.
Phoenix Suns ahead Kevin Durant, proper, appears to move the ball as Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun, middle, and middle Nikola Jokic, left, defend within the first half of Recreation 2 of an NBA second-round playoff sequence Monday, Could 1, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photograph/David Zalubowski)
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Suns: Phoenix held the Nuggets to their lowest-scoring first quarter all season, limiting them to 18 factors. … The Suns did not shoot a single free throw within the first half. … Paul completed with 8 factors.
Nuggets: Jokic scored 11 of Denver’s first 14 factors however solely had 13 by halftime. … The Nuggets had 68 factors by halftime within the sequence opener however made simply 16 first-half photographs Monday night time. … Murray was 1 for 7 from the ground earlier than halftime and scored simply 4 factors earlier than the break.
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